India Athletics Team Heads to Japan

The Indian athletics team will undergo a short acclimatisation camp at the University of Tsukuba, near Tokyo, ahead of the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya in September-October. The team will leave for Japan after competing in the invitational Indian Athletics Final Series in New Delhi on September 10.

Several top athletes will participate in the Indian Open World Athletics Silver Level Continental Tour event in Bhubaneswar on August 22. The event will be held at the Kalinga Stadium, where the Asian Games-bound Indian athletes, who were training at Jablonec in the Czech Republic, will return home to have another short training stint.

Murali Sreeshankar, Ancy Sojan, Jyothi Yarraji, Gurindervir Singh, Animesh Kujur, and Kishore Jena are set to take part in the Indian Open World Athletics Silver Level Continental Tour event in Bhubaneswar. However, Neeraj Chopra will not feature in Bhubaneswar, as he will compete at the Lausanne Diamond League on August 21.

The Sports Authority of India (SAI) signed an MoU with the University of Tsukuba in June to facilitate participation of Indian athletes, coaches, and sports scientists in specialised training and exchange programmes in Japan. This partnership will provide the Indian athletics team with valuable experience and training ahead of the Asian Games.

## Why it matters The Asian Games are a major international multi-sport event, and the Indian athletics team's performance will be closely watched. The acclimatisation camp in Japan and the Indian Open World Athletics Silver Level Continental Tour event in Bhubaneswar are crucial in preparing the team for the upcoming games. The team's success will depend on their ability to adapt to the conditions in Japan and perform well in the events leading up to the Asian Games.

The Indian athletics team's preparation for the Asian Games is a significant event, with the team's performance having a major impact on the country's overall medal tally. With top athletes participating in the Indian Open World Athletics Silver Level Continental Tour event in Bhubaneswar, the team is gearing up for a strong showing at the Asian Games. The partnership between the Sports Authority of India and the University of Tsukuba will provide the team with the necessary training and experience to compete at the highest level.